KIRISTEN MCGIRT (LEFT) TAKES A PICTURE WITH COACH JOHN WOOSLEY AND KAI RICHARD
The greatest shot putter in Louisiana history hit a historic mark on her first throw Wednesday afternoon at Zachary's Bronco Relays. East Ascension's Kiristen Mcgirt, who will be competing for the University of Tennessee this time next year, launched the shot put out past the 50' foot barrier. 50-4.
That is over three feet better than Janet Hill, who had a best of 47-1 in 1988.
"I'm still kind of in shock," Mcgirt said Wednesday night as she sat in the stands at Bronco Corral Stadium and watched her East Ascension compete in the meet.
Other marks in the series included throws of 46, 48, and 49 feet. Zachary's Kai Richard was second with a personal record throw of 36-7 and Dutchtown's Annika Small was third with a throw of 29-07.
It didn't take long for news of Mcgirt's throw to reach Knoxville where University of Tennessee throws coach Erik Whitsitt responded by sending Mcgirt a text that read 'Yes! Congratulations! Awesome!" with a fist bump emoji.
Mcgirt is coming off an indoor season where she broke numerous records including the LSU field house composite record (49-7.25) and LHSAA Championship composite meet record (48-6). The latter came at the 2025 LHSAA State Indoor Championships last month.
After celebrating by walking across Nicholson Drive and enjoying some Fat Boy's Pizza with other members of her USA Throws Project training group, Mcgirt went back in the lab to hone her craft.
During those sessions Mcgirt worked on sprinting, jumping, and medicine ball drills to help her become more athletic.
"I also threw more," Mcgirt said. "Maybe four or five times a week. I really think those reps--whether it was throws or drills--really helped me today."
On her best throw, Mcgirt said she was working staying level out of the back of ring and not dipping.
"I wanted to keep my posture and be aggressive with my legs," Mcgirt siad. "I just punch it."
"It feels great to be the first Louisiana athlete to break the fifty-foot barrier," Mcgirt said. "I'm very, very, very happy."
With the historic throw behind her, Mcgirt is ready to enjoy the remainder of her senior season at East Ascension and see where her hard work takes her.
"Honestly, I am going to try to have fun and be consistent," Mcgirt said. "Being consistent today means more to me today than throwing 70 feet tomorrow."
While Mcgirt did not know if she would compete in any major invitationals before the LHSAA State Outdoor Championships in May, she does have her on competing at the U18 Championships this summer.